IVORY COAST international Eugene Dadi was delighted that his first goal for Tranmere Rovers was a winner in last night's Carling Cup first round tie against Bury.

IVORY COAST international Eugene Dadi was delighted that his first goal for Tranmere Rovers was a winner in last night's Carling Cup first round tie against Bury.

The 29-year-old (left), who signed a one-year deal last week, headed the decisive goal in the 89th-minute and said afterwards: "I was just so happy when it went in. There isn't a much better time to score than in the last few seconds of the game and I'm just pleased we got the win."

Tranmere fans are already taking to Dadi who has shown he is comfortable with the English game in his appearances so far and he said: "I'm hoping there's better to come from me. I feel I'm only playing at 60 per cent of my potential. I need to get more fitness."

Manager Ray Mathias echoed the sentiment when he said: "I think there's more to come from Eugene. He opened things up for us when he came on tonight.

"You've also got to give a lot of credit to Iain Hume for putting a great ball in. Switching Iain out to the left in the last 15 minutes paid dividends for us."

Mathias added: "I thought we deserved the victory but it was like a boxing match in which we had to wear them down.

"I felt we shaded the first half on points but we got on top in the second.

"It was an entertaining game with good saves from both keepers.

"You could see our fitness level in the second half when we had our full-back bombing on to get a lot of crosses into the box."

Tranmere now take their place in the draw for round two alongside some of the Premiership clubs. Mathias added: "It will be nice to get a big club in the next round."

The manager will be monitoring the condition of defender Graham Allen who took a knock on the toe.